NFL Week 15 Weather: Record Cold Bears-Packers Game in Chicago?

Jon Erdman
Published: December 17,2016
For the third consecutive week, multiple NFL games Sunday, including games critical in the playoff race, may be affected by either cold, wind or rain.
This includes, potentially, the coldest game ever played in the NFL's longest continuous rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Of 193 games played between the two clubs over 95 years, Sunday's game at Soldier Field may be the record coldest.
(MORE: Bundle Up, Here Comes the Cold)

Some Weather-Impacted Games Sunday

Several other games will be played in frigid cold Sunday, while two other games will feature rapidly changing weather during the game itself, thanks to a cold front.

A fan of the Chicago Bears tries to stay warm during a game between the Bears and the Green Bay Packers on December 22, 2008 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Packers 20-17 in overtime.

Fortunately, Winter Storm Decima will be exiting stage right Sunday, with little snow left over. But that doesn't mean it won't still have an impact on a few games.
All times below are in Eastern Standard Time.

Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m.

• Weather factors: Bitter cold, breezy.
• Temperatures will struggle to rise much above zero.
• With west to northwest winds, wind chills in the 10s below zero are expected.
• Cover all exposed skin and dress in layers if you're headed to Soldier Field Sunday.
• Record coldest game at Soldier Field: 2 degrees on Dec. 22, 2008, versus the Packers.
• There have been only seven NFL games on record played in subzero cold, most recently, an NFC playoff game last January between the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. 
• Record coldest wind chill at Soldier Field: -15 degrees on Dec. 18, 1983, versus the Packers (credit: Chicago Tribune).
• Considering that used the old wind chill index calculation, which was much colder than the current index, this record may be broken Sunday.
• Interestingly, the coldest Bears/Packers game in Green Bay was a mere 6 degrees on Nov. 28, 1976 (credit: packers.com).

Cleveland at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

• Weather factors: Not nearly as cold as other locations, but windy; A snow flurry or two are possible
• Wind will be the biggest concern.
• This is a matchup between the two worst weather NFL cities, among those who play home games outdoors.
• A Dec. 16, 2007 game between these teams in Cleveland ended 8-0 in a snowstorm. It was the first 8-0 NFL game since Nov. 10,1929. Passing was nearly impossible, so the teams resorted to running, which was also nearly impossible given the snow.

Detroit at New York Giants, 1 p.m.

• Weather factors: Rain, windy, turning colder. Rain could turn to snow if overtime occurs. 
• A cold front will likely be sweeping through during the game, so temperatures will fall.
• Rain will be accompanied by brisk west winds with the frontal passage.
• Last week, the Lions missed out on the elements in their climate-controlled home of Ford Field.

Philadelphia at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

• Weather factors: Rain, windy, turning colder.
• This is basically the same forecast as just up Interstate 95 in New Jersey.
• Bring your rain jackets for the game. The wind will add a raw feel, despite being much less cold than other games.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

• Weather factors: Cold and breezy.
• We can't rule out a lingering flurry, but the main weather component here will be the cold (20s for highs, at best).
• Nagging northwest winds will lead to wind chills in the single digits and teens.
• So, no, this won't be the snowy game played in November 1976 at Riverfront Stadium, and it won't come close to the infamous 1981 AFC Championship "Freezer Bowl".

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks beyond the Oakland Raiders last line of defense en route to a punt return touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium during the second quarter of the game on December 8, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Tennessee at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

• Weather factors: Very cold
• For the second straight game, Arrowhead Stadium will host a frigid NFL game.
• Titans QB Marcus Mariota, born and raised in Honolulu and a University of Oregon alumnus, said this "will probably be the coldest game I've ever played."
• Record coldest game at Arrowhead Stadium: -6 degrees on Jan. 7, 1996, versus the Indianapolis Colts (source: nfl.com).
• Sunday could have the coldest high temperature in Kansas City since March 2, 2014, when the high only reached 5 degrees.
• Fortunately, winds should be light, and there should be plenty of sunshine.
• On Dec. 8, the host Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders in a key AFC West battle played with wind chills in the single digits.

New England at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

• Weather factors: Cold.
• It won't be windy, but breezes may plunge wind chills into the teens or 20s.
• Record coldest game in Denver: 9 degrees on Dec. 10, 1972, versus the San Diego Chargers (source: NFL.com).
• The Patriots and Broncos played in a "Mile-High" snowstorm in November 1979. Fortunately, not a concern this time.

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